…the parched land shall become a pool, and the thirsty lands springs of water…(Isaiah 35:7)

Oh What Songs of the Heart

Matthew’s death was sad and unexpected and it caused in me some deep reflection. He isn’t the first friend or family member I’ve known to have died. As I’ve prayed for his family and spent time in the temple over the last couple of weeks I’ve found comfort and peace.

Anchors and Pedals and Cleats, Oh My!

In the last year I’ve really gotten in to bicycling in a big way. As I’ve gotten more into it I’ve made adjustments to my bicycle and with the help of my sister’s family been able to upgrade some components. While out on a ride with my sister and nephew the other day, I had […]

Different Angles and Mendelssohn

I had an interesting experience the other day as I was taking a walk around the grounds of the Temple in Sacramento. As I paused for a moment in the shade of an oak tree, I looked up. 3 people like this post. Like Unlike

Circles and Lines

In many cases a circle is a good shape. The earth that Our Lord created is a circle.There’s a hymn that says “Improvement and Progression have one eternal round. ” (Hymns 1985 #284) And if you think about it, a circle has no beginning nor ending. Usually.  4 people like this post. Like Unlike

You’ll Never Walk Alone

In 1945, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein wrote a musical called Carousel. It was based on an earlier non-musical play by  Ferenc Molnár  called Liliom. A number of well known songs came from that musical. One of them though is particularly inspiring and has been recorded by numerous artists and even been adopted as theme for a soccer club in […]

His Wealth Untold

Life has a tendency of throwing us curve balls every once in a while. And while sometimes the message we may need to hear comes from something or someone dear and cherished, sometimes it’s otherwise.  5 people like this post. Like Unlike

Each Life that Touches Ours for Good

As I sat contemplating the other day, the thought kept coming to me that I should write about some of the people who have had a positive impact in my life.  2 people like this post. Like Unlike

Lead Thou Me On

There is a great truth in the phrase, God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform. Sometimes the inspiration and message can come from a most unlikely source. Yes, even Facebook.  3 people like this post. Like Unlike

In All Our Trials, Born to be Our Friend

In addition to Messiah, we are working on various other Christmas music. One of the selections we did last night is one that I’ve always loved. O Holy Night, is one that I’ve sung and played countless times over the years. In the arrangement of it that we are doing, the tenors sing the melody in the second verse. But that second verse was particularly meaningful to me and had a profound impact. Particularly the middle of that verse which says, “The King of Kings, lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our friend. He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger…” Even writing it now it brings tears to my eyes. That was the message last night that I really needed. He Does know our need and is an eternal friend and comforter in times of trial.

Be Still, and Know That I am God

In other times in my life, I might have given into temptation and done something I shouldn’t have. In the midst of the anxiety and discouragement though something happened that was different. I found a place in this noisy bustling city of quiet, and there I prayed. As I did so, I felt the anxiety and discouragement leave. And I realized the reason for the change was that I had decided to be still. And in that stillness, I found peace.

God’s Truth Abideth Still

The truth of God is a great source of comfort and strength in a world of uncertainty and distress. It keeps on going as it has in ages past and continues to do so today. Several events this last week have made me profoundly grateful for his never ending love. 4 people like this post. […]

Chided the Billows and Hushed the Wind

Recently,  the choir that I sing in did a performance of Verdi’s Requiem. It’s a very dramatic work. If you’re familiar with Mozart’s Requiem think, Mozart Requiem on steroids. A lot of emphasis of the terrors of death and the final judgement. From a artistic standpoint it was nice to sing this again. I’ve sung […]

Our Gaze on Christ

I feel a little out of my element at the moment. As part of my work I am attending a theology conference in Boulder, Colorado.  I’ve learned some new things, and been reminded of some things that I’ve known for quite a while. Sometimes something we’ve known our whole lives takes on new meaning when […]

Lake Wobegon Comes to Sacramento

It has been quite a long time since have written on this blog. There are a couple of reasons for that. I had started to write a post in October and then my father died on October 16th. My father had a special love of Christmas and particularly the Christmas church services that were part […]

Sacred Silence, Friendship, and Refuge

I had a wonderful opportunity this last week of traveling along the coast of Northern California with a close friend of mine. It was wonderful to spend time with a friend and laugh, as well as share some special experiences. Among those special experiences that will live forever in my memory is the sacred silence […]